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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Mike Kaufman, Assistant Fire Chief
Jim Birchall, Chief Public Facilities Officer
DATE: March 25, 2025
SUBJECT:
A Resolution authorizing the Director of Purchasing to provide funding to Leopardo Construction of Hoffman Estates, IL in the amount of $29,484,587 for the complete Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) scope, not including soft costs, plus a 5% contingency for construction of the new Fire Department Headquarters and Fire Station #4.
PURPOSE:
Authorizing the allocation of funds to Leopardo Construction in order for them to execute the contracts for the construction of the new Fire Department Headquarters. Executing the building of this station will provide reduced response times, therefore providing greater protection of life and property to the citizens of Aurora. In addition, the move into new Fire Station #4 will eliminate the increasing cost of maintaining and repairing the outdated current Fire Station #4. It will also provide a new home for the fire department administration, who have presently outgrown Central Station at 75 N. Broadway. The fire department headquarters will also provide the AEMA with office and vehicle space, as well provide a new and updated EOC (emergency operations center), that will be utilized by AEMA to coordinate disaster response.
BACKGROUND:
In 2021, the Aurora Fire Department hired a consultant to conduct a Fire Station location analysis to establish optimal locations for a planned additional fire station and relocation of two (2) stations, required to effectively meet fire and EMS service demand due to the continued growth and development of the city. The study determined it would be in the best interest of the public and the Fire Department to construct a new Station #13 and relocate Stations #9 and #4. Following council approval, a capital improvement plan (CIP) for the relocations and new buildings was submitted and approved. Staff released a request for proposals (RFP) on May 15, 2022, for architectural services and in March 2024 issued an RFP to select a Construction Manager where Leopardo Construction was approved as the construction manager for the Fire Department Headquarters project on August 27, 2024.
DISCUSSION:
In 2023 the City of Aurora began work with Cordogan and Clark architecture to develop plans for the new Fire Department Headquarters. As the programming and schematic design was nearing completion, a construction management firm was required to begin work on the sites. In March 2024, the City advertised the work and received statements of qualifications from nine firms. Staff reviewed these proposals and interviewed the top three.
After the interviews and internal discussion, staff determined it would be best to select one firm to be the Construction Manager and Leopardo Construction Inc. was selected to manage these projects.
For Fire Department Headquarters, Cordogan and Clark Architecture has been working with Leopardo Construction and has calculated a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) of $29,484,587.This includes the construction manager fees approved with R24-284 on August 27, 2024, preconstruction services, allowances for: weather conditions, soils, material testing, bonds, furniture, other fees & reimbursables and ComEd work and a 3% contingency. This does not include soft costs such as design, IT, security equipment/items, or the City's request for an additional 5% contingency ($1,475,000.00).
Leopardo Construction has published and received one bid package for this project and received a total of 105 bid responses for Fire Department Headquarters. Leopardo Construction is following the City's Local Preference Ordinance and reaching out to MWBE vendors for participation. We will receive a recap of each bid package that shows MWBE participation, local Aurora vendors awarded and those local vendors who were awarded because of the Local Preference Ordinance.
This resolution will allow Leopardo Construction to begin to execute the contracts that have been selected via the bidding process. This would allow for groundbreaking of the new Fire Department Headquarters to occur soon so the building can be enclosed before winter.
Funding is provided in account 355-3033-422.72-35 using project code C135.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Completion of Fire Department Headquarters and Fire Station #4 will allow the Fire Department to continue to offer outstanding fire protection to the citizens and visitors within the City of Aurora. With completion of the new Fire Department Headquarters, fire administration and AEMA will have a newly updated and appropriately sized building to continue to provide efficient and effective service to the citizens of Aurora.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
I request that this resolution be adopted.
cc: Infrastructure and Technology Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution authorizing payment to Leopardo Construction in an amount not to exceed $29,484,587, with an additional 5% contingency, for the construction the new Fire Department Headquarters (Fire Station #4) consistent with the scope of work authorized by Resolution R24-284.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, multiple steps have been taking place over the last few years in order to design and locate a new Fire Department Headquarters; and
WHEREAS, the new Fire Department Headquarters will provide necessary office space, training areas, EMA space, and improved response times for the citizens of Aurora; and
WHEREAS, the City selected Leopardo Construction to manage the construction of Fire Department Headquarters in August 2024 (R24-284); and
WHEREAS, the bid process has been completed and Leopardo is ready to execute contracts for the selected bids; and
WHEREAS, funds for this project have been budged in account 355-3033-422.72.35 with project code C135.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that the release of funds for the purposes contemplated by this Resolution and Resolution R24-284 shall be and hereby is authorized.